Fence-post.



No. 758,002. PATENTED APR. 19,-1904.

H. J. DONAHOB.

.FENGE POST.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6. 1898-.

H0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

HEDLEY J. DONAHOE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,002, dated April 19, 1904. Application filed August 6, 1898. Serial No. 687,958- (No model.)

T0 all whmn it WY/01.] concern:

Be it known that I, HEDLEY J. DONAHOE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to metallic fence-posts, and my present improvements have more especial reference to means for securing the wire to the post.

The primary object of my invention is to provide improved means for enabling the fence-wire to hold the wire-locking key firmly in place, whereby unauthorized persons cannot without great difficulty and special implements remove the wires from the post.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved fence-post; and Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1.

In carrying out my invention I prefer to employ a post which is constructed of a sheet or strip of metal, preferably steel, which is bent from top to bottom to form an angular edge 1 throughout its front side. The two rearwardly-deflected side pieces 2 are then bent inwardly to form another angular pr0- jection, 3, on each one, thus forming a post which has three angles in cross-section and one which is exceedingly stiff and rigid and will stand driving into the ground by means of a maul or other driving apparatus without bending or buckling. The edges 3 3 preferably project toward each other, but do not touch, so that the back of the post is entirely open. This enables me to nest the posts in a compact form during shipment, and the inwardly-projecting flanges or angle-pieces 3 also serve the additional purpose of locking the posts together when thus packed andwforming a bundle convenient for handling.

The front vertical angular edge 1 of the post is provided at suitable intervals with notches 4, which extend backwardly a sufl i'cient distance to enable the fence-wires 5 being inserted sidewise therein and when inserted to leave room between the wire and the back of the post for the engagement of a locking key 6. This key may consist of an ordinary nail having a head or lug 7, which head is utilized for locking the key in place and pre venting unauthorized persons from removing the wires. In order to accomplish this, I form in the back of the post, immediately above each of the notches 4, an indentation 8, into which the head of the nail engages, and when the wire is pulled taut it cannot be disengaged therefrom without a special implement. It is of course obvious that it Would be no departure from my invention to employ a single rod passing all of the wires on the post instead of aseparate key for each wire.

The lower end of the post is beveled, as shown at 9, so as to facilitate the driving of the post in rocky ground, the special purpose of the bevel being to deflect to one side any stones that may be engaged as the post enters the earth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new and useful article of manufacture a metallic fence-post angular in crosssection having notches formed through a corner thereof, for the transverse insertion of the fence-wires, and a cavity or indentation a slight distance from each of said notches for receivinga lug or head of the locking-key, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the fence-Wires, of a metallic fence-post angular in cross-section and having notches formed through a corner thereof for the transverse insertion of such wires and a key passing between the wire and the back of the post, said post having a'cavity or indentation and the key having a lug or head fitting and held in said indentation by the strain on the wire, substantially as set forth.

HEDLEY J. DONAHOE. Witnesses:

E. (l. SEMPLE, F. A. HorKINs. 

